Last night, about 300 members of the Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley gathered for a community dinner to kick off "Eid al-Fitr," a three-day celebration that ends the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"This is like Christmas for us," said Masroor Naved, 16, of Allentown. "We get the day off from school and first go to prayers, then we visit with family and friends to exchange gifts and then we come to this dinner."

The celebration is marked by communal prayers, meals and gift exchanges. The group that gathered in the Haupert Union Building of Moravian College was treated to such dishes as eggplant, potato bhajir, curry mutton, rice and baklava -- foods that reflected the diversity of the Lehigh Valley Muslim community, which includes such nationalities as Egyptians, Turks, Syrians, Russians and Vietnamese.

During Ramadan, Muslims are required to abstain from food, smoking, drink, physical relations or luxury during daylight hours.

"In the beginning, it is hard to get through the day, but as the month goes on, you adjust to it," said Yoosef Nabavian , 15, of Bethlehem.

"You get a lot of questions at school, too. People want to know why you are not eating. But once you explain it to them, it's not so bad," said Nabavian.

The fasting can even dictate the sports Muslims can participate in during Ramadan. Harris Ahmed, 18, a Salisbury High School senior, had to sit on the bench during swim team practice so that he would not accidentally ingest water from the pool.

One Muslim sports star who fasts but continues his athletic career is NBA basketball star Hakeem Olajuwon.

"Hakeem is somebody we can look up to. He is the only Muslim superstar," said Naved.

Ramadan is among the most sacred months of the Islamic lunar calendar. According to the Muslim faith, it is during this month the Koran was compiled in the heavens. Fasting during Ramadan is mandatory for every able-bodied adult Muslim.

Kamran Shahid, a Muhlenberg College student, said, "It is hard to fast and go to classes. I try to study at night after I have eaten. But I really look forward to the whole month; it is very spiritual."

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five Pillars of Islam. The other four are declaration of faith, prayers five times a day, paying of alms and pilgrimage to the Holy Mosque in Mecca for those who are physically and financially able.